The Philosophy Discussion Forum

Leonard Bernstein was a good conductor

then again, Silver is the best conductor

Hi Ho, Hi Ho Silver...
Hi Ho, Hi Ho Silver...
Hi Ho, Hi Ho Silver Away
yeah, honey hush

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6noe3l3kgrc

Foghat Jams

-Imp

Gary Childress. Machiavelli, "The Prince" and not realpolitik whatever the latter means, as I never studied the term academically nor in literature. The internet says realpolitik and Machiavelli, but I wrote an essay on him, and I do not remember the word realpolitik. I looked realpolitik on the web of lies and still do not understand realpolitik. The, "Ought" I understand from the, "Is." Realism ought not govern the state. Ius ad bellum and Ius in bello, I know, but realism using the term realpolitik, I do not understand. Realism and peace is, "The absence of organized violence."
If you could explain realpolitik that would be very helpful in understanding this conflict, or "Organized violence carried out by political units against each other." This is the realist definition of peace and war by Clausewitz.

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 9:02 pm

puto wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 9:00 pm If this is going to fall into an ad hominem fallacy, then you dolt.

Oh, but calling it a "conflict" instead of "war" is just brilliant. Maybe the Russians and Iranians can just say they're in a "conflict" with Ukraine and the US? So who's justified and who isn't? The US struck first in this round. Does that qualify as "just conflict"? Give us the "realist" perspective?

Gary, the problem is that you need to be wearing one of those red (MAGA) "decoder" hats in order for the dear leader's endeavors to make sense to you.

For example, minus the decoder hat and only using the filter of "common sense" to interpret what is taking place between the U.S. and Iran, a non-cult member (such as you or I) might be inclined to call that "WAR."

However, on the other hand, with the decoder hat firmly squeezed onto one's skull, one is prompted (via various electrodes, gullibility, and sheer stupidity) to call the pre-emptive attack on Iran a "Kinetic Action."

And if it just so happens that 150 little schoolgirls* are slaughtered...

(murdered, dismembered, blown to pieces)

...as a result of that "Kinetic Action," then the wearer of the coveted decoder hat will be comforted in knowing that that falls under the umbrella of yet another one of America's favorite euphemisms --> "Collateral Damage" wherein the murder of innumerable innocent humans as a side-effect is perfectly acceptable.

So, no, Gary, it's not really "WAR" when viewed while wearing the proper hat.

*(Besides, it's not as if their children are as precious to them as ours are to us, right? )
_______

Ad hominem

puto wrote: ↑Thu Mar 12, 2026 7:18 amAd hominem

Whose post are you referring to as an ad hominem or what part of what post contains one that you are referring to?

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Thu Mar 12, 2026 4:02 pm

puto wrote: ↑Thu Mar 12, 2026 7:18 amAd hominem

Whose post are you referring to as an ad hominem or what part of what post contains one that you are referring to?

Perhaps he's just telling you his next move in advance.

Trump and Netanyahu seem to have probably fucked us over royally. Hopefully, the MAGA movement is happy what their man has done to us all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl-sSsZnSP8

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sun Mar 15, 2026 11:30 pm Trump and Netanyahu seem to have probably fucked us over royally. Hopefully, the MAGA movement is happy what their man has done to us all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl-sSsZnSP8

He's lost a lot of support with this war.

Iwannaplato wrote: ↑Sun Mar 15, 2026 11:34 pm

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sun Mar 15, 2026 11:30 pm Trump and Netanyahu seem to have probably fucked us over royally. Hopefully, the MAGA movement is happy what their man has done to us all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl-sSsZnSP8

He's lost a lot of support with this war.

Good. When do the war crimes trials start for Trump. Israel should do the same to Netanyahu. The two of them have basically sunk the West.

Just a year ago we had thought things couldn't get any worse.

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sun Mar 15, 2026 11:53 pm Good. When do the war crimes trials start for Trump. Israel should do the same to Netanyahu. The two of them have basically sunk the West.

I doubt either will go on trial for war crimes. And Trump was talking about going into Cuba after the Iran thing is over.

Iwannaplato wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2026 6:08 am

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sun Mar 15, 2026 11:53 pm Good. When do the war crimes trials start for Trump. Israel should do the same to Netanyahu. The two of them have basically sunk the West.

I doubt either will go on trial for war crimes. And Trump was talking about going into Cuba after the Iran thing is over.

True. I'm sure there will be a nice fat pension waiting for Trump when he gets out of office (coupled with "Presidential immunity"). The world is probably twice the shit show it was before Trump got into office.

I can't stand seeing the news. Trump's idiocy is criminal and so is he. How long do we have to put up with this shit before someone decides to kick his worthless ass out of office? I can't believe we are where we are.

Impeach Trump!!!

Congress has to put the brakes on him.

But they are gutless.

Iwannaplato wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2026 6:08 am

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sun Mar 15, 2026 11:53 pm Good. When do the war crimes trials start for Trump. Israel should do the same to Netanyahu. The two of them have basically sunk the West.

I doubt either will go on trial for war crimes. And Trump was talking about going into Cuba after the Iran thing is over.

That's how he plans to go down in history as a Great President®: by being the first in a century or so to expand the territory of the USA. Canada, Greenland, Cuba... which ever he can seize first basically.